OpenPDF vs WeasyPrint

Overview

WeasyPrint

Stacks38

Followers29

Votes0

GitHub Stars8.3K

Forks765

OpenPDF

Stacks3

Followers29

Votes0

GitHub Stars4.1K

Forks673

OpenPDF vs WeasyPrint: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare the key differences between OpenPDF and WeasyPrint, two popular libraries used for generating PDF documents. Both libraries have their own features and strengths, which makes them suitable for different scenarios. Understanding these differences can help in making an informed decision when choosing between them for PDF generation in web applications.

Architecture: OpenPDF is a Java library that allows developers to create and manipulate PDF documents. It is based on the iText library and provides a comprehensive set of features for PDF generation. On the other hand, WeasyPrint is a Python library that uses the CSS Paged Media Module and HTML/CSS to generate PDF documents. It focuses on providing a simple and intuitive way to convert web pages to PDF format.
Language Support: OpenPDF is primarily designed for Java applications, offering a wide range of APIs and functionalities specific to the Java language. It provides extensive support for Java classes, interfaces, and methods, making it suitable for Java-centric projects. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, supports Python and can be easily integrated with Python web frameworks like Django and Flask. It leverages Python's rich libraries and ecosystem for web development.
Rendering Engine: OpenPDF uses a built-in rendering engine to generate PDF documents, which provides fine-grained control over the rendering process. It supports advanced features like font embedding, image manipulation, and vector graphics. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, utilizes web browsers' rendering engines like Blink and Gecko to render web pages and convert them into PDF format. This enables it to accurately reproduce complex web page layouts, CSS styles, and content.
CSS Support: OpenPDF supports limited CSS styles and properties, focusing more on PDF-specific formatting and layout options. It provides basic support for font styles, colors, tables, and images, but may not fully render complex CSS layouts. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, has excellent support for CSS, including advanced features like page breaks, floats, media queries, and print-specific styles. It can accurately render web pages with intricate CSS designs and produce visually appealing PDF documents.
Ease of Use: OpenPDF provides a comprehensive API for PDF generation, offering fine-grained control over the document creation process. However, it requires a fair amount of coding and configuration to generate PDF documents. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, follows a more declarative approach, allowing developers to specify PDF generation using HTML and CSS. This makes it easier to generate PDFs, especially for developers familiar with web technologies.
Integration and Community: OpenPDF has been around for a longer time and has a strong user community. It is well-documented and has a large number of code examples and tutorials available. WeasyPrint, although relatively newer, also has an active community and provides extensive documentation and support. It benefits from the Python ecosystem and is compatible with popular web frameworks, making it easier to integrate into existing projects.

In Summary, OpenPDF is a Java-based PDF library with a comprehensive set of features and fine-grained control over PDF generation, while WeasyPrint is a Python library that focuses on rendering web pages to PDF, with excellent CSS support and an easier integration process. Choosing between them depends on the project requirements, language preferences, and level of CSS complexity required for PDF generation.

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Advice on WeasyPrint, OpenPDF

Cesar

Jun 24, 2020

Needs advice

Users are uploading huge PDF files of more than 100MB on our platform. We are creating several tools to manage those files, but keeping the raw file will eat up space, as we are handling several of them. After upload, they will be mainly keep stored for future use.

I am looking for a tool to compress and optimize those PDFs, like a library or an external API that can process that for us.

Thanks

20.8k views20.8k

Comments

Detailed Comparison

WeasyPrint	OpenPDF
It is a visual rendering engine for HTML and CSS that can export to PDF. It aims to support web standards for printing. It is free software made available under a BSD license.	OpenPDF is a free Java library for creating and editing PDF files with a LGPL and MPL open source license. OpenPDF is based on a fork of iText.
URLS; PDF; HTML; Fonts; CSS	-
Statistics
GitHub Stars 8.3K	GitHub Stars 4.1K
GitHub Forks 765	GitHub Forks 673
Stacks 38	Stacks 3
Followers 29	Followers 29
Votes 0	Votes 0
Integrations
Python Heroku Zapier Dropbox Windows Linux DocGen macOS	Java

What are some alternatives to WeasyPrint, OpenPDF?

DocRaptor

DocRaptor makes it easy to convert HTML to PDF and XLS format. Choose your document format, select configuration options and make an HTTP POST request to our server. DocRaptor returns your file in a matter of seconds. We provide extensive documentation and examples to get you started, and our API makes it easy to use DocRaptor to generate PDF and Excel files in your own web applications.

Pandoc

It is a free and open-source document converter, widely used as a writing tool and as a basis for publishing workflows. It converts files from one markup format into another. It can convert documents in (several dialects of) Markdown, reStructuredText, textile, HTML, DocBook, LaTeX, MediaWiki markup, TWiki and many more.

Inkfluence AI

Plan, write, and publish books, PDF guides, workbooks, and audiobooks with AI workflows. Customize branding and export instantly.

2dto3D

Upload any image and get a downloadable 3D model in minutes. AI-powered image to 3D conversion with professional quality GLB files. Built by people who actually use 3D tools.

PDF.js

It is a Portable Document Format (PDF) viewer that is built with HTML5. It is community-driven and supported by Mozilla Labs. The goal is to create a general-purpose, web standards-based platform for parsing and rendering PDFs.

Typ

It is a simple typesetting application. Turn plain Markdown into a formatted PDF, ready for print. Focus on content, not formatting.

pdfmake

pdfmake, client/server side PDF printing in pure JavaScript.

wkhtmltopdf

wkhtmltopdf and wkhtmltoimage are command line tools to render HTML into PDF and various image formats using the QT Webkit rendering engine. These run entirely "headless" and do not require a display or display service.

Adobe Acrobat

Create, edit, and review PDFs. E-sign documents and collect signatures. Collaborate with your team. All in one app.

CloudConvert

Convert anything to anything - more than 200 different audio, video, document, ebook, archive, image, spreadsheet and presentation formats supported.

Related Comparisons

OpenPDF vs WeasyPrint: What are the differences?

Introduction

Architecture: OpenPDF is a Java library that allows developers to create and manipulate PDF documents. It is based on the iText library and provides a comprehensive set of features for PDF generation. On the other hand, WeasyPrint is a Python library that uses the CSS Paged Media Module and HTML/CSS to generate PDF documents. It focuses on providing a simple and intuitive way to convert web pages to PDF format.
Language Support: OpenPDF is primarily designed for Java applications, offering a wide range of APIs and functionalities specific to the Java language. It provides extensive support for Java classes, interfaces, and methods, making it suitable for Java-centric projects. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, supports Python and can be easily integrated with Python web frameworks like Django and Flask. It leverages Python's rich libraries and ecosystem for web development.
Rendering Engine: OpenPDF uses a built-in rendering engine to generate PDF documents, which provides fine-grained control over the rendering process. It supports advanced features like font embedding, image manipulation, and vector graphics. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, utilizes web browsers' rendering engines like Blink and Gecko to render web pages and convert them into PDF format. This enables it to accurately reproduce complex web page layouts, CSS styles, and content.
CSS Support: OpenPDF supports limited CSS styles and properties, focusing more on PDF-specific formatting and layout options. It provides basic support for font styles, colors, tables, and images, but may not fully render complex CSS layouts. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, has excellent support for CSS, including advanced features like page breaks, floats, media queries, and print-specific styles. It can accurately render web pages with intricate CSS designs and produce visually appealing PDF documents.
Ease of Use: OpenPDF provides a comprehensive API for PDF generation, offering fine-grained control over the document creation process. However, it requires a fair amount of coding and configuration to generate PDF documents. WeasyPrint, on the other hand, follows a more declarative approach, allowing developers to specify PDF generation using HTML and CSS. This makes it easier to generate PDFs, especially for developers familiar with web technologies.
Integration and Community: OpenPDF has been around for a longer time and has a strong user community. It is well-documented and has a large number of code examples and tutorials available. WeasyPrint, although relatively newer, also has an active community and provides extensive documentation and support. It benefits from the Python ecosystem and is compatible with popular web frameworks, making it easier to integrate into existing projects.

OpenPDF vs WeasyPrint

Overview